It is important that you get the right size and fit of Birkenstocks by selecting the right size and following our tips on how they should fit. This will also prolong the life of your sandals and you will ejoy them much more.
BIRKENSTOCK provides most of its shoes in two different widths.
- regular
- narrow
Sometimes shoes are only available in one width which corresponds to a regular (normal) wide foot. You can choose between: regular width which fits all normal feet and narrow width which fits narrow/slender feet.
The difference between regular and narrow width is approx. 0.2 mm in the back and approx. 7 mm in the front.
- regular
- narrow
Sometimes shoes are only available in one width which corresponds to a regular (normal) wide foot. You can choose between: regular width which fits all normal feet and narrow width which fits narrow/slender feet.
The difference between regular and narrow width is approx. 0.2 mm in the back and approx. 7 mm in the front.
Trying your shoes on
When Buying Birkenstock footwear, please ensure that you are getting the correct length as well as the correct width. To check that you ahve the right size, place your heel within the foot cup (the lower part of the footbed); your foot should fit inside the edges of the shoe with a few millimetres at the front and back of your foot. This allows for movement while walking.
Your toes and heel should NOT touch the rim of your sandals while you are standing in them. The extra room is needed to perform the natural rolling motion of the foot without restrictions - just as if you were barefoot.
The contours of the footbead should follow the curves of your foot. The raised arch might feel unusual at first, but the arch support will feel less pronounced as the cork/latex footbed moulds to your foot.
Regular or narrow?
Even with foot health sandals the right fit is important. Therefore the Original Birkenstocks footbed is manufactured in two widths. When purchasing your Birkenstock sandals, ensure that you get the correct width.
Birkenstocks are designed to be roomy. When you first try your sandals and shoes on, they might feel big. Most people are fine with a regular fitting, but if your foot moces from side to side when you walk and adjusting the straps does not help, then a narrow fitting might be more suitable.
How can I tell if a shoe is narrow or regular?
Birkenstock uses a footprint symbol to determine width. If it is filled in it's a narrow width,if it is an outline, then it's a regular shoe. Product codes for narrow shoes end in 3, while regular sizes end in 1.
How do I decide if my feet are narrow or regular?
It's really an individual thing. Generally, if you always wear narrow shoes, your feet are not wide across the toes and you consistently hear comments about your slender feet, then you're best off with a narrow shoe.
Tips for sandals
When fitting sandals, the strap closest to your toes should fit comfortably, but not tight. The other straps should be more loosely fitting to allow your heel to lift slightly off the footbed while walking. Birkenstocks should not be tightly fitting.
Tips for shoes and clogs
Slip the removebale footbed from the shoe. To check with whether your shoe is the correct length and width, stand on the footbed and inspect the fit. Toes should not hang over the edge and the aches should folllow the contours of your feet, as described above. Reinsert the footbed into the shoe.
Tips for children's footwear
We find that most kid's feet are best suited to the narrow widths. Birkenstock footwear may not be suitable for children under 3 years old.
